New Blogger: Lux & S2

We all know how hard it is to get started in the blogging world. It can be very intimidating. To help out, I thought that I would highlight new bloggers as I find them.

Because not many of us out there have worn or will wear these in our careers.

For the first highlight, I give you Lux & S2. S2, a retired jockey, and Lux, an OTTB, are now pursuing new careers as eventers. I think that the perspective of a retired jockey retraining an OTTB will be very interesting to read about!

So, stop by her blog when you get a chance and welcome S2.

If you are new to blogging, send me a message or leave a comment and I would be more than happy to feature you.

Stupidity at it's Finest

Grandpa holding Dragon, a horse he owned part of.

Today I went to visit my grandfather at the rehabilitation facility he is temporarily residing in. The first thing I noticed was how gruff and impatient the nurses and other staff were with the patients. Being mean to old, sick people: NOT okay. The place slightly redeemed itself by having great physical and occupational therapists. After Grandpa's physical therapy, the therapist helped him to the dining room.

As we walk in, the first thing I notice is an old man in a wheelchair unable to lift his head from the table and trying to lift his hands to get to his food. There is no one around helping him. The PT goes storming out looking for the person responsible for him. Three women come in and start arguing over who should be helping him all while the poor guy is still trying to reach for the food on his plate. The PT is so frustrated by their stupidity that she just gives up.

Rada and Grandpa 

I about lost it on them. How ignorant and careless can someone possibly be? How stupid? It wasn't just negligent, but flat out cruel. These three women could care less about the man and their main priority was getting out of having to deal with him. What a bunch of selfish, heartless shits!

Unfortunately, this was the only place medicare would approve. Fortunately, Grandpa probably only has to be there for a week or two.

Looking Back 2014: Horse Racing

I apologize for being absent in the blogging department. Again.

In short, my grandpa came to visit the day after Christmas and had to go to the hospital the day after that. He's been in there since then.

On a good note, Grandpa has stayed very active, he was still playing softball when he came down here, and that should help him recover better from the stroke. It's heartbreaking to see how frustrated he is. I'm praying that he can eventually return to living close to the same way he did before all of this happened.

Anyway, enough of my drama.

2014 was a fairly good year on the horse racing side of things. Not nearly as good as I had hoped, but it could have been worse.



86 starts
15 wins-  17.4%
8 seconds
12 thirds
On the board-40.7%
$144,337 in earnings
Earnings per start $1,687.

Top horses:

Claimed horses:

Silk Indian
Ultimate Question
Volage

Favorite win:

Colinda Dawn

Favorite moments:




Also, I got to meet The Sprinkler Bandit at the Fiesta Bowl. Unfortunately, I'm an idiot and didn't get a picture, but she did. It was so great to meet her!

An Awesome Secret Santa!

It had been a bit of a rough week that was made so much better when I came home to my Secret Santa gift from Stephanie at Hand Gallop! She seriously sent the most awesome gifts, things that my friends and family would have picked out for me!

Thank you Stephanie!!!!

In my child-like excitement, I forgot to take pictures of everything while they were still wrapped so I included the gorgeous ribbon she used for the bows in the picture:)

First off, I have been around horse racing long enough now, that anything with a race horse on it is desirable (this is pretty normal, apparently us trackies like to represent). That mentality has transferred over to the dressage side of me. I love me some dressage swag! This totally makes the sticker perfect and it's so going on our truck.

The key chain is also great for me. If you don't know me, keys and I do not have a good relationship. I swear those little suckers pick up and run the second I take my eye off of them. The chance of losing them with the dressage key chain on there should decrease exponentially. I have been meaning to get a key chain for my barn keys, but my scatter brained self keeps forgetting. Seriously, if any of my friends are reading this, they are thinking that Stephanie is a genius right now.

My absolute favorite is the bracelet! I love jewelry and especially cuff bracelets. I love them even more with dressage horses on them! 

Also, did I mention that the card is adorable? Love it!

Thank you Tracy at Fly On Over for hosting the Secret Santa Gift Exchange!

Does the heart ever heal?

I will always miss this sweet, intelligent face greeting me.